Seven Pearls of Wisdom with Raj Kapoor songs

 

Raj Kapoor films have always had a strong core of philosophy. From the story to the dialogues to the lyrics, every aspect of his films tells us something about life, each film is an eye opener in some way. Here’s looking at some of his ‘pate ki baat’ from seven songs selected from his films.

1. Mud mud ke na dekh  (Shree 420)     1955

Singer: Manna Dey and Asha Bhosale

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics: Shailendra

A village simpleton in the grasp of a conniving city. To his dismay, he realises that honesty is a burden that is holding him back. The metaphor of Vidya (Nargis) and Maya (Nadira) is played with finesse as we watch Raj’s struggle to choose a path. Mud mud ke na dekh gives voice to any temptation that we have faced in life. The urge to move on and achieve success is a powerful one and the lyrics play on every emotion that answers to that pull.

Duniyaa ke saath jo badaltaa jaaye
Jo iske dhaanche me hi dhaltaa jaaye
Duniyaa usiki hai jo chaltaa jaaye

Mud mud ke na dekh, mud mud ke
Mud mud ke na dekh, mud mud ke

 

2.  Dil ka haal sune dilwala  (Shree 420)    1955

Singer: Manna Dey

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics: Shailendra

A quintessential Raj Kapoor song where he plays the common man, has a dafli in his hands and is singing life truths penned by his Kaviraj Shailendra. These are cinema magic moments, and they live on.

Sun lo magar yeh kisise na kehna,

Tinke ka leke sahara na behna

Bin mausam malhar na gaana

Aadhi raat ko matt chillana

Warna pakad lega policewala…..

 

3. Kisi ki muskaharoton pe      (Anari)       1959

Singer: Mukesh

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics: Shailendra

If we are asked to think of a song that teaches us the best way to live life in a positive way, this song will probably be the first to come to mind for many of us. The straightforward and clear tone of the lyrics drives the point home clearly. This is the only song selected in this list which is not from a film made by Raj Kapoor but no list of philosophy of life by Raj Kapoor could be complete without this song. Mukesh lends a sincerity to this SJ tune and Raj Kapoor brings it alive on screen as only he can. A magical combination and a joy for us to hear and see for all time.

Mitte jo pyaar ke liye woh zindagi,
Jale bahaar ke liye woh zindagi
Kisi ko ho na ho hamein to aitbaar
Jeena isi ka naam hai…

 

4. Pyaar kar le nahin toh phaansi chadh jaayega (Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai)   1960

Singer: Mukesh

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics: Shailendra

 

Very hard hitting lyrics as Raju tells dacoit Raka (Pran) to choose nonviolence and peace, by surrendering to police and choosing to give up a violent way of life.

jeet har saikdo teer se talwar se
jeet har saikdo teer se talwar se
mere sath muskura dil ko jeet pyar se
mere sath muskura dil ko jeet pyar se
vichar kar le, vichar kar le nahi to piche pachtayega….

 

5. Sajan re jhooth matt bolo        1966

Singer: Mukesh

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics: Shailendra

 

Every song of this film is deeply embedded with life lessons. It was difficult to select just one song from this film. Be it Duniya banana waale or be it Sajanwa bairi ho gaye hamaar, all songs from this film are a textbook lesson on life.

Ladakpan khel mein khoya,
Jawaani neend bhar soyaa,
Budhaapa dekh kar royaa
Wahi kissaa puraanaa hai…..
Sajan re jhooth mat bolo

 

6. Pate ki baat kahega (Diwana) 1967

Singer: Mukesh

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics: Shailendra

Pate ki baat are the pearls of wisdom about the philosophy of life that the Diwana states to people in this song. Another gem from the team of Raj Kapoor, Shankar Jaikishan, Shailendra and Mukesh. A very uplifting song that makes one realise the true value of things around us.

Char ke aath tu kar le,

Aath se saath tu kar le

Rahega phir bhi ye khali,

Pet ko lakh tu bhar le

Seekh le mann ko manana,

Sabar se kaam chalana,

Meri surat pe na jaana,

Meri surat pe na jaana

Pate ki baat kahega,

Kahega jab bhi deewana….

Pate ki baat

7. Ae bhai zara dekh ke chalo  (Mera Naam Joker)   1970

Singer: Manna Dey

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics: Neeraj

 

This song is an eye opener for people who make the mistake of looking at life with rose tinted glasses and then wish they hadn’t done that. Raju, the joker, in Mera Naam Joker has seen life in its true colours, and he tells us that traversing the paths of life can be tricky at the best of times, and treacherous at the most. And yet, he tells us that such is life and we should live it with the courage needed to make a go of it.

A song deeply laden with philosophy, it tells us something new every time we hear it.

Girne se darta hai kyon,

Marne se darta hai kyon,

Thokar tu jab tak na khayega.

 Paas kisi gham ko na jab tak bulayega,

 Zindagi hai cheez kya nahin jaan paayegaa,

Rotaa huaa aaya hai, rotaa chalaa jaaegaa .

Ae bhai zara dekh ke chalo

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